Intel’s soldered ninth-gen CPUs could give them even greater overclocking room
Intel has reportedly soldered the cores of its eight-core ninth-generation CPUs, likely improving their out-of-the-box cooling by leaps and bounds. If that turns out to be true, it could mean greater overclocking potential for the new chips, leading to the potential for 5GHz on all of their eight cores.
YouTube VR gets bolder with the Gear headset and communal experiences
Exploring the world through YouTube VR just got a little bit easier, or at least, a little more inclusive. On Wednesday, July 25, the video platform announced that its VR experience is coming to Samsung Gear VR, building upon its existing availability on Daydream View, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR.
Google offers its own ‘Titan’ USB security key for password-free logins
Google introduced the Titan Security Key, a physical USB-based device that eliminates the need to enter usernames and passwords. The device includes firmware developed by Google’s engineers that verifies its integrity, so you can log onto your favorite sites worry-free.
The demand for hacking tools and malware is greater than the current supply
A report published by Positive Technologies reveals an extremely high demand for malware creation on the dark web: Three times greater than the current supply. The report is based on 25 Russian and English-based dark web sites with around three million registered individuals.
Apple’s MacBook Pro throttling fix seems to be working
A recent benchmark showed Intel’s Core i9-8950HK CPU in Apple’s latest 15-inch MacBook Pro severely throttled in performance presumably due to cooling issues. Apple has since confirmed the problem and released a software fix which appears to have cleared up most users problems, restoring the MacBook Pro's performance.
New Steam chat system adds group chats, video, and GIF support
Valve has made its first major update to the Steam chat client in a long time and has taken big strides in modernizing the experience. New encrypted voice chat and group chat functions are welcome, but with stiff competition from the likes of Discord, you have to wonder whether it's too little too late.
Not at Hogwarts? You can still build and use a wand thanks to Kano
You may not be able to get into Hogwarts (muggles that we all are), but you can still build your own wand. After all, who needs Ollivander and his wands when you have the new Harry Potter Kano Coding Kit? The first-ever Harry Potter STEM project, this coding kit is the latest offering from Kano.
Apple’s T2 chip may be causing issues in iMac Pro and 2018 MacBook Pros
Many iMac Pro owners have reportedly suffered kernel panics since they hit the market at the end of 2017. You can find a handful of threads on Apple’s community forums detailing the trials and tribulations customers are experiencing, speculating that the T2 security chip may be the culprit.
Leak shows Intel’s 9th-gen Core i7 desktop CPU won’t have hyper-threading
A supposed leak listed on a Chinese forum (now removed) suggests that Intel will not provide hyper-threading technology on its ninth-generation Core i7-9700K processor. This news is notable because this would be Intel’s first Core i7 part in recent history served up without hyper-threading.
Google Docs’ A.I. grammar checker will fix your poor writing habits
Google is taking on Grammarly by launching its own grammar checker in Google Docs. The grammar suggestions are powered by artificial intelligence to identify problems with spelling and grammar as you type, and works in a similar way to Google Translate by "translating" bad English to proper English.
If you own a 2018 MacBook Pro, you will want to maintain data backups
Due to a new logic board design on the 2018 MacBook Pro, Apple's existing tools to recover data stored on the computer's solid-state drive won't work. Owners of the 2018 MacBook Pro will want to be vigilant about maintaining backups of their system to prevent unrecoverable data in the event of logic board failure.
Microsoft provides free lessons for quantum computing basics
Want to learn more about quantum computing and how to program in the Q# language? Microsoft just launched Quantum Katas, an open source project that provides you with tutorials for learning at your own pace. According to Microsoft, these exercises are based on three learning principles.
Google bets on blockchain technology with two new Google Cloud partnerships
Google will support distributed ledger technology, aka blockchain, on the Google Cloud Platform. The reveal arrives by way of the company’s announcement regarding the Google Cloud Next ’18 conference in San Francisco. Google will have a 50-minute session talking about developing blockchain apps.
The Apple T2 chip in the latest MacBook Pros offer a deeper level of security
Apple surprised customers with a sudden (but expected) hardware refresh of its 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pros without an on-stage introduction. The updated models include the T2 security chip first introduced in 2017’s iMac Pro providing a secure boot, encrypted storage and live “Hey Siri” commands.
Email shows Nvidia’s GTX 11 Series will start being released in late August
A leaked email purportedly written by a Nvidia graphics card partner for a retailer provides the release dates of the upcoming GeForce GTX 11 Series. The letter also confirms what we’ve heard over the last several months: That Nvidia pushed back the launch due to unsold GTX 10 Series stock.
You can go to Scotland to experience The Macallan – or just grab your VR headset
Can't make it to Scotland to take a tour of The Macallan Distillery? There's no need to fret, because as it turns out, you don't even need to leave your living room to get a similar (albeit slightly less buzz-worthy) experience. The Macallan is bringing its Scottish distillery to folks in the Big Apple and worldwide.
Google could release the most powerful Chromebook ever this year
A next-generation Google Pixelbook is said to be set to ship before the end of the year with thinner bezels. As with other laptops that have launched this year, it could also sport hardware upgrades, the most likely being a boost to its processing performance with a brand-new Intel eighth-generation CPU.
Homeland Security is worried about Gmail’s confidentiality mode
Google's new confidentiality mode on its Gmail email service may actually be making email less secure rather than more so. The Department of Homeland Security has expressed concern that it could lead to a rise in phishing attacks against unsuspecting users, with Gmail setting a dangerous precedent for the future.
Facebook suspends data firm claiming access to 1 trillion conversations
Though Facebook found no wrongdoing, the social network is proactively suspending data analytics firm Crimson Hexagon's access to data on its network. Facebook wants to know if data collected by the firm, which counts the US and Russian governments as clients, was used for surveillance.
Turn your Surface Pro into a cheap Surface Studio with Kensington’s dock
Want a Surface Studio but don’t want to pay the premium price? Kensington can make your dream come true through a new docking station built for the cheaper Surface Pro. It essentially holds Microsoft’s detachable in an all-in-one-PC-style configuration while expanding the device’s connectivity.
AMD’s Ryzen desktop CPUs for 2019 may double the core count
Although we’re still waiting for AMD to release new low-end second-generation Ryzen processors, AMD appears to be betting big on 2019. If current rumors are correct, Ryzen 3000 Series mainstream desktop processors arriving next year will sport up to 16 cores based on its Zen 2 design.
Microsoft stops a Russian attempt at hacking 2018 midterm elections
Less than a week after the United States indicted 12 Russian military officers for their involvement in hacking the 2016 election, Microsoft discovered that the same state intelligence agency tried to use the same phishing tactics to target at least three candidates in the upcoming 2018 midterm elections in the U.S.
The launch of the new MacBook Pro has been a complete disaster
Apple has completely flubbed what could have been a simple, reassuring processor bump to the MacBook Pro. From issues with pricing and CPU throttling to the puzzling keyboard, the MacBook Pro lineup has been left in an even more volatile and controversial state than before the 2018 update.
Millions of health records may be at stake in ransomware attack
LabCorp reported that it may have been a victim of a data breach, and the FBI confirmed that it was notified of the ransomware attack on one of the nation's largest medical labs. LabCorps sees more than 115 million patients annually, potentially leaving a lot of patients vulnerable if the breach was successfully.
Congressman says we should be banned from mining, using cryptocurrency
Congressman Brad Sherman believes the government should prohibit U.S. citizens from mining and using cryptocurrency. He made the statement Wednesday, adding that as a medium of exchange, cryptocurrencies accomplish nothing except facilitating narcotics trafficking, terrorism, and tax evasion.
Apple quietly confirms 2018 MacBook Pro keyboard ships with anti-debris design
Apple quietly fixed the MacBook Pro's sticky key problem when it announced the quieter keys on the new 2018 models. The new keyboard, which comes with a membrane underneath each key to dampen noise and keep debris away, is exclusive to the 2018 MacBook Pro, and owners of older laptops are left out in the cold.
Relive 1998 as live chat rooms roll out across Reddit in a limited beta
Reddit is now slowly rolling out real-time chat rooms across a limited number of subreddits. Currently in beta, Reddit Chat went live in the summer of 2017 for a small group of around 7,000 Reddit users. Now Reddit is expanding this service, keeping users locked to the website.
Intel’s 9th-generation processor could launch next month with 8 cores
Intel may be launching its new processor on August 1. The ninth-generation CPU, code-named Coffee Lake, will bring an eight-core architecture to the mainstream in a bid to compete against rival AMD's second-generation Ryzen chips. Still, it may take some time before we see products with Intel’s newest chips.
Benchmark test shows Core i9 severely throttled in 15-inch MacBook Pro
YouTuber Dave Lee is reporting what we already expected would happen with Apple’s latest MacBook Pro refresh and the Core i9-8950HK six-core processor crammed inside: Performance throttling. There’s just not enough space in the 0.61-inch-tall chassis to sufficiently cool the chip.
Your next virtual reality headset will require just one USB-C cable to connect
VirtualLink wants to simplify the virtual reality experience by replacing all the cables -- USB, HDMI, and power -- needed to connect a VR headset to a PC today with a single USB-C cable. This will help reduce friction in VR adoption and could speed up setup times for those looking to get started with a new headset.
Dell’s refresh of the XPS 13 2-in-1 series dips its toes into Intel’s Amber Lake
Intel said its eighth-generation “Amber Lake” Y-series processors would arrive later this year. One month later, the Chilean arm of Dell leaked an upcoming 13-inch XPS 2-in-1 device sporting five processor options, two of which are Amber Lake CPUs: the Core i5-8200Y and the Core i7-8500Y.
Microsoft is digging itself a hole by giving away free Surface Docks
Microsoft is giving away a free Surface Dock with the purchase of a Surface Book 2 or a Surface Laptop -- a nifty $200 value. If you’re using a Surface Book 2 15-inch, though, then this is one gift horse that you might want to look in the mouth.
Apple repair program won’t upgrade older MacBook Pros to new keyboard
If you own a MacBook Pro model prior to last week's refresh and suffer from the widely documented keyboard problems, don't expect Apple to give you a free keyboard upgrade when you take your notebook in for repair. Apple said that the quieter third-generation keyboard is an exclusive feature for its 2018 notebooks.
FCC proposal could help Google Fiber roll out to more cities
The FCC is considering a change on how utility poles are managed. Instead of requiring new service providers consult with existing utilities on a pole to make changes, the new proposal shifts the work burden to new providers, like Google Fiber. This change could help accelerate the deployment of gigabit internet.